Important Questions to Ask Your Surgeon Before Hernia Surgery
Introduction
Over 100,000 people get affected by hernia yearly, with men more likely to be affected by it than women. However, a hernia could affect anyone. Men tend to get affected by it more than women, especially in their mid 40's. Surgery may not always be necessary, but it could be the best solution. If you are having pain in the abdominal region, obstruction, or any other issues associated with a hernia, it is time to think about hernia surgery.
Many people are anxious about the prospect; however, you will be at ease if you consult your surgeon and ask the right questions. It is natural to have anxiety before any surgical procedure. Hence, it is essential to ask your surgeon certain crucial questions prior to undergoing hernia repair surgery. This will help ensure that you are getting the best and most effective prognosis from the medical team.
What Questions to Ask Before Hernia Surgery?
Surgery may not always be necessary for those with a hernia problem. If you do not have symptoms like pressure, pain, or bulging around the groin area, a surgeon may ask you to wait. However, if the surgeon thinks a hernia surgery is necessary, they may recommend you to get it done.
Even if you are told that you need to treat a hernia through surgery, it is vital to have a conversation with the hernia specialist. A few questions that you can ask are below:
1. What are the different kinds of surgical procedures for hernia?
Surgeons often resort to minimally invasive hernia repair surgery; however, in some exceptional cases, open surgery may be needed. Minimally invasive surgery is a laparoscopic repair that facilitates quick and easy recovery.
2. How will I determine the type of hernia repair surgery I need?
After a complete examination and medical history review, the hernia specialist will suggest the type of hernia surgery for you. Those patients with groin, umbilical, incisional, or hiatal hernia will need a laparoscopic repair. A patient's age, medical history, and hernia complications could determine an open surgical procedure. An individual treatment plan specific to your case is what your doctor will advise.
3. What can be expected during the procedure?
It is helpful to know what happens when treating a hernia. You may be given local or general anesthesia, depending on your case. As mentioned, there are different ways to treat a hernia, so it is essential to determine the procedure that the doctor chooses to treat you. All the techniques give good results if the hernia specialist knows your severity and medical history.
4. Are there any possible complications?
Any surgery that needs the administration of general anesthesia comes with some possible side effects. A hernia surgery has risk factors of its own. The risks are minor, and awareness of them is important.
4. What preparations do I need to undertake before the procedure?
It is important to let your surgeon know about any medications you are currently taking and any medical conditions you are undergoing.
5. When will I be discharged from the hospital?
You can go home on the same day of the surgery if you have had a minimally invasive procedure. Some surgeries may require you to stay in the hospital for a few days as the doctor wants to monitor your recovery. It is generally recommended when you have had an open surgery.
6. What will the recovery post-surgery be like?
After a laparoscopy, you will need at least a week to recover. After an open surgery, you may need several weeks (at least 6 weeks to recover). After any surgery, your doctor will recommend you take adequate rest and avoid doing any heavy physical exercise, over-exertion of the body, or heavy lifting of weights. You will also be required to follow-up.
When to Look for Doctor/Surgeon Consultation?
You can reduce the risk of surgery by contacting a surgeon close to you. Search for "hernia doctors near me," and it will lead you to speciality hospitals with a trained team. When you consider hernia specialists, check their experience and the number of times they have performed the procedure.
The best way to get your hernia treated is by consulting a general practitioner who can direct you to a specialist. A bariatric surgeon has the expertise and experience to perform a hernia repair surgery.
A simple groin and abdominal examination will help the surgeon assess or evaluate the extent of the hernia. Consult a surgeon before corrective surgery to ensure you know what to expect. Most hernia specialists will strive to reduce tissue damage, minimise infection risk, and foster speedy recovery. Speak to your surgeon in detail about the steps involved, any apprehensions, and any questions you may have about the surgery.
Conclusion
Hernia repair surgery is one of the less complicated surgeries, and the recovery process is much faster than many other surgeries. Hernia does tend to develop again post-surgery. It is common for it to occur near the incision site. One of the main reasons is that patients tend to return to their sedentary lifestyle, which increases the risk of recurrence. It is important to follow the surgeon's advice, go for follow-on check-ups and make lifestyle changes. Following a strict diet, exercising adequately, quitting smoking and drinking, and reducing stress levels help in easy and quick recovery and minimise the chances of a hernia developing again. Hernia is common in many people, and one in ten people undergo hernia surgery. It is essential to consult a doctor if you experience pain, pressure, constipation, or bulge around the groin area to rule out any possibility.
